8 January Brasília attacks

{{Main|2022–2023 Brazilian election protests}}

{{See also|Third inauguration of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva}}

During Bolsonaro's tenure as president of Brazil, his allies and supporters floated the idea of an assault like the United States Capitol attack of 6 January 2021 in the event he lost his re-election bid.{{Cite web |last=Bostock |first=Bill |title=Bolsonaro is stoking a Capitol riot-style insurrection in Brazil that could happen as early as Tuesday, more than 20 ex-world leaders warn |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/brazil-bolsonaro-backing-capitol-riot-inspired-coup-former-leaders-warn-2021-9 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US |date=6 September 2021 |access-date=8 January 2023 |archive-date=8 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230108201723/https://www.businessinsider.com/brazil-bolsonaro-backing-capitol-riot-inspired-coup-former-leaders-warn-2021-9 |url-status=live }} Bolsonaro supporters alleged that the 2022 Brazilian general election suffered from widespread electoral fraud that caused Bolsonaro's loss. They claimed electronic voting machine malfunctions and deemed some voting patterns suspicious, and mistrusted election officials. The military helped oversee the election and found no signs of fraud.{{Cite web |date=2 November 2022 |title=Refusing to Accept Defeat, Bolsonaro Backers Call on Military to Intervene |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/02/world/americas/bolsonaro-election-protests.html |access-date=15 November 2022 |website=The New York Times |first=Jack |last=Nicas |archive-date=15 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221115122351/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/02/world/americas/bolsonaro-election-protests.html |url-status=live }} Supporters of Bolsonaro used social media to spread misinformation about supposed electoral fraud, further motivating the protesters.{{Cite web |first1=Andrew|last1=Rosati |first2=Guilherme|last2=Bento |date=12 November 2022 |title=Brazil's Loudest Election Deniers Are Kicked Off Social Media |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-11-12/brazil-s-loudest-election-deniers-are-kicked-off-social-media |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://archive.today/20221112165824/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-11-12/brazil-s-loudest-election-deniers-are-kicked-off-social-media |archive-date=12 November 2022 |access-date=15 November 2022 |website=Bloomberg Times}} Supporters of Bolsonaro were also inspired by other international events in 2022 that bolstered the far-right such as the Canada convoy protests, the elections of Bongbong Marcos in the Philippines, and Giorgia Meloni in Italy.

Some military reservists voiced support for a truckers' strike before the second round of elections, including Colonel Marcos Koury, who, on {{Nobr|16 October 2022}}, published a video encouraging a truckers' general strike before the second round. Koury's video about the shutdowns was shared in several Pro-Bolsonaro groups on WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook, and other social media websites, and, days later, members of these same groups started defending roadblocks after the elections. Calls for strikes were also made on YouTube, TikTok, Twitter, and Instagram.{{Cite web |author1=Bruno Fonseca |author2=Tai Nalon |date=1 November 2022 |title=Influenciadores já articulavam bloqueios de estradas no Telegram e no YouTube antes do 2º turno |trans-title=Influencers were already articulating blocking the streets on Telegram and YouTube before the 2nd round |url=https://www.aosfatos.org/noticias/bolsonaro-telegram-youtube-bloqueio-estradas/ |access-date=16 November 2022 |website=Aos Fatos |language=pt-BR |archive-date=16 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221116231637/https://www.aosfatos.org/noticias/bolsonaro-telegram-youtube-bloqueio-estradas/ |url-status=live }}

Trucker protests lost strength on 3 November 2022,{{Cite web |title=Protestos de bolsonaristas perdem força e rodovias no Vale e região estão sem bloqueios nesta quinta |url=https://g1.globo.com/sp/vale-do-paraiba-regiao/noticia/2022/11/03/protestos-de-bolsonaristas-perdem-forca-e-rodovias-no-vale-e-regiao-estao-sem-bloqueios.ghtml |access-date=7 November 2022 |trans-title=Bolsonaristas protests lose strength and highways in the Valley and region are without blockages this Thursday. |website=G1 |date=3 November 2022 |language=pt-br |archive-date=6 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221106224416/https://g1.globo.com/sp/vale-do-paraiba-regiao/noticia/2022/11/03/protestos-de-bolsonaristas-perdem-forca-e-rodovias-no-vale-e-regiao-estao-sem-bloqueios.ghtml |url-status=live }}

• {{Cite web |date=2 November 2022 |title=Estados com bloqueios golpistas em rodovias caem para 11; |trans-title=States with coup blockades on highways drop to 11; |url=https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/mercado/2022/11/bloqueios-refluem-e-agora-atingem-17-estados-acompanhe-a-situacao-nesta-quarta.shtml |access-date=7 November 2022 |website=Folha de S.Paulo |language=pt-BR |archive-date=6 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221106224414/https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/mercado/2022/11/bloqueios-refluem-e-agora-atingem-17-estados-acompanhe-a-situacao-nesta-quarta.shtml |url-status=live }}
• {{Cite web |last=Nascimento |first=Simon |date=2 November 2022 |title=Protestos em frente quartéis pedem intervenção militar em 8 Estados e no DF {{!}} O TEMPO |trans-title=Protests in front of barracks call for military intervention in 8 states and in the DF |url=https://www.otempo.com.br/economia/protestos-em-frente-quarteis-pedem-intervencao-militar-em-8-estados-e-no-df-1.2760435 |access-date=7 November 2022 |website=www.otempo.com.br |language=pt-BR |archive-date=6 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221106224415/https://www.otempo.com.br/economia/protestos-em-frente-quarteis-pedem-intervencao-militar-em-8-estados-e-no-df-1.2760435 |url-status=live }} and Bolsonaro supporters began to gather in the vicinity of Brazilian Armed Forces facilities. Demonstrations took place at military installations in the cities of São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Brasília, Florianópolis, Recife, Salvador, and other cities and regions. In Brasília, a group had camped in front of the {{ill|Brazilian Army Headquarters|pt|Quartel-General do Exército| lt=Army Headquarters}}, demanding that the Armed Forces carry out a military coup; in January, Lula's government attempted to remove these protesters and, when this failed, ordered reinforced security. That week, the minister of justice also reiterated that the camps would be dismantled.{{Cite web |title=Protestos nos quartéis e tiros de guerra ganham caráter de vigília pró-Bolsonaro |trans-title=Protests in barracks and gunfire take on the character of a pro-Bolsonaro vigil| url=https://noticias.uol.com.br/ultimas-noticias/agencia-estado/2022/11/21/protestos-nos-quarteis-e-tiros-de-guerra-ganham-carater-de-vigilia-pro-bolsonaro.htm |access-date=7 January 2023 |website=noticias.uol.com.br |language=pt-br |archive-date=28 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221128030553/https://noticias.uol.com.br/ultimas-noticias/agencia-estado/2022/11/21/protestos-nos-quarteis-e-tiros-de-guerra-ganham-carater-de-vigilia-pro-bolsonaro.htm |url-status=live }}

File:Bolsominions em Ilhéus 17.jpg's barracks in Ilhéus, Bahia]]

The electoral victory of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (Lula) was officially ratified by the Superior Electoral Court on 12 December 2022.{{cite news |title=Lula Cries, Mentions God and Highlights Defense of Democracy at His Inauguration |url=https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/internacional/en/brazil/2022/12/lula-cries-mentions-god-and-highlights-defense-of-democracy-at-his-diplomation.shtml |access-date=9 January 2023 |work=Folha de S. Paulo (English edition) |date=13 December 2022 |archive-date=24 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221224004708/https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/internacional/en/brazil/2022/12/lula-cries-mentions-god-and-highlights-defense-of-democracy-at-his-diplomation.shtml |url-status=live }}

• {{cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-12-12/lula-s-win-certified-by-brazil-court-ending-challenges-to-vote|title=Lula's Win Certified by Court, Ending Challenges to Vote|last=Preissler Iglesias|first=Simone|date=12 December 2022|publisher=Bloomberg L.P.|access-date=9 January 2023|archive-date=12 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221212214518/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-12-12/lula-s-win-certified-by-brazil-court-ending-challenges-to-vote|url-status=live}} Militant far-right Bolsonaro supporters stormed the Federal Police headquarters in Brasília and torched vehicles on the street after one of the protesters was arrested for inciting violence to prevent Lula's swearing-in. The police used stun grenades and tear gas to disperse them.{{cite web |last1=Phillips |first1=Tom |date=13 December 2022 |title=Bolsonaro supporters try to storm police HQ in 'January 6-style' rampage |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/dec/13/bolsonaro-supporters-try-to-storm-police-hq-in-january-6-style-rampage |access-date=13 December 2022 |website=The Guardian |archive-date=13 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221213112424/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/dec/13/bolsonaro-supporters-try-to-storm-police-hq-in-january-6-style-rampage |url-status=live }}
• {{cite web |last1=Buschschlüter |first1=Vanessa |date=13 December 2022 |title=Brazil protests: Bolsonaro supporters attack police HQ |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-63956778 |access-date=14 December 2022 |publisher=BBC |archive-date=14 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221214010952/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-63956778 |url-status=live }} A bombing attempt near Brasília International Airport was prevented by the police on 23 December; the suspect was arrested a day later. According to his testimony, he was motivated by Bolsonaro casting doubts on the integrity of the election process in the past.{{cite web |last1=Romani |first1=Andre |last2=Stargardter |first2=Gabriel |date=26 December 2022 |title=Brazil protests: Bolsonaro supporters attack police HQ |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/bolsonaros-call-arms-inspired-foiled-brazil-bomb-plot-police-are-told-2022-12-26/ |access-date=28 December 2022 |work=Reuters |archive-date=27 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221227191141/https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/bolsonaros-call-arms-inspired-foiled-brazil-bomb-plot-police-are-told-2022-12-26/ |url-status=live }}
• {{cite news |author1=Katy Watson |author2=Alys Davies |date=1 January 2023 |title=Lula sworn in as Brazil president as predecessor Bolsonaro flies to US |publisher=BBC |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-64138739 |access-date=2 January 2023 |archive-date=1 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230101131143/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-64138739 |url-status=live }} Other attempted attacks were carried out by Bolsonaro supporters after the election and during the beginning of Lula's government, including the case of a man who was arrested while attempting to enter the ministries' esplanade carrying a knife and an explosive device during Lula's inauguration.{{Cite web |title=Lula inauguration: Man carrying explosive device and knife arrested, military police say |url=https://news.sky.com/story/lula-inauguration-man-carrying-explosive-device-and-knife-arrested-military-police-say-12777944 |access-date=2023-07-16 |website=Sky News |language=en}}

{{See also|2022 Brazilian coup plot}}

On 2 January 2023, former Bolsonaro minister Anderson Torres was appointed chief security officer of the Federal District by the reelected governor Ibaneis Rocha. The next day, Torres changed the command of the intelligence and special operations team of the department, including the undersecretary of the first Intelligence George Estefani and Chief of the Federal Police Milton Rodrigues. Those who were dismissed had been monitoring the protests and had understanding of terrorism and experience in crisis management.{{Cite web |last1=Cavalcanti |first1=Leonardo |last2=Yamaguti |first2=Bruna |date=2023-01-09 |title=Exclusivo: demitiu equipe que monitorava golpistas no DF |url=https://www.sbtnews.com.br/noticia/brasil/235694-exclusivo-anderson-torres-demitiu-equipe-que-monitorava-golpistas-no-df |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110223216/https://www.sbtnews.com.br/noticia/brasil/235694-exclusivo-anderson-torres-demitiu-equipe-que-monitorava-golpistas-no-df |archive-date=2023-01-10 |access-date=2023-07-30 |website=SBT News |trans-title=Torres fired the team that monitored plotters in the DF: Exonerated by the former secretary, they worked in intelligence against acts and had experience in the area|language=pt-BR}}

• {{Cite web |last=Gouveia |first=Aline |date=2023-01-09 |title=Antes de ataques, Torres trocou equipe que monitorava golpistas no DF |url=https://www.diariodepernambuco.com.br/noticia/politica/2023/01/antes-de-ataques-torres-trocou-equipe-que-monitorava-golpistas-no-df.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230109224619/https://www.diariodepernambuco.com.br/noticia/politica/2023/01/antes-de-ataques-torres-trocou-equipe-que-monitorava-golpistas-no-df.html |archive-date=2023-01-09 |access-date=2023-07-30 |trans-title=Before the attacks, Torres changed the team that monitored plotters in the DF |website=Diario de Pernambuco |language=pt-br}}
• {{Cite web |last=Roriz Neto |first=Joaquim |date=2023-03-02 |title=REQUERIMENTO ADMINISTRATIVO - Requer a quebra do sigilo bancário, fiscal, telefônico e telemático do Senhor Anderson Gustavo Torres, ex-Secretário de Estado de Segurança Pública do DF. |url=https://www.cl.df.gov.br/documents/5744614/26832271/Requerimento+008+-+Quebra+do+sigilo+banc%C3%A1rio%2C+fiscal%2C+telef%C3%B4nico+e+telem%C3%A1tico+do+Senhor+Anderson+Gustavo+Torres%2C+ex-Secret%C3%A1rio+de+Estado+de+Seguran%C3%A7a+P%C3%BAblica+do+DF.pdf/34ec8514-328b-7d38-a75c-b4c49e346bf4 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230730041453/https://www.cl.df.gov.br/documents/5744614/26832271/Requerimento+008+-+Quebra+do+sigilo+banc%C3%A1rio%2C+fiscal%2C+telef%C3%B4nico+e+telem%C3%A1tico+do+Senhor+Anderson+Gustavo+Torres%2C+ex-Secret%C3%A1rio+de+Estado+de+Seguran%C3%A7a+P%C3%BAblica+do+DF.pdf/34ec8514-328b-7d38-a75c-b4c49e346bf4 |archive-date=2023-07-30 |access-date=2023-07-30 |website=Câmara Legislativa do Distrito Federal |format=PDF}} Torres then left Brazil on the night of 6 January for Orlando, Florida, arriving 7 January, just hours before the attacks and one week after Bolsonaro's own arrival in Orlando.{{Cite web|website=Metropoles|url=https://www.metropoles.com/colunas/igor-gadelha/anderson-torres-viajou-para-orlando-na-vespera-das-invasoes|title=Anderson Torres viajou para Orlando na véspera das invasões|trans-title=Anderson Torres traveled to Orlando on the eve of the invasions |first=Igor|last=Gadelha|date=8 January 2023|access-date=9 January 2023|archive-date=9 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230109000557/https://www.metropoles.com/colunas/igor-gadelha/anderson-torres-viajou-para-orlando-na-vespera-das-invasoes|url-status=live}}

Reports of a planned attack were already circulating in the first week of 2023, with audios leaked from several WhatsApp and Telegram groups showing intent by pro-Bolsonaro groups to organise a "massive protest" in Brasília, provoke violent actions by the crowd, circumvent police action, and possibly incite a military coup d'etat.{{Cite news |last=Marcelino |first=Ueslei |date=31 December 2022 |title=Brazil's Bolsonaro lands in Florida, avoiding Lula handover |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/brazils-bolsonaro-says-no-justification-attempted-terrorist-act-capital-2022-12-30/ |access-date=9 January 2023 |archive-date=10 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110083833/https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/brazils-bolsonaro-says-no-justification-attempted-terrorist-act-capital-2022-12-30/ |url-status=live }}

• {{Cite web |date=5 January 2023 |title=Extremistas falam em invadir Congresso, driblar polícia e dão dicas sobre gás |url=https://www.metropoles.com/colunas/grande-angular/extremistas-falam-em-invadir-congresso-driblar-policia-e-dao-dicas-sobre-gas |trans-title=Extremists talk about invading Congress, circumventing police and giving tips on gas |access-date=8 January 2023 |website=Metrópoles |language=pt-BR |archive-date=7 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230107054614/https://www.metropoles.com/colunas/grande-angular/extremistas-falam-em-invadir-congresso-driblar-policia-e-dao-dicas-sobre-gas |url-status=live }}
• {{Cite web |author=Sergio Spagnuolo |title=No Telegram, golpistas falavam de invasão ao Congresso desde começo de janeiro |trans-title=On Telegram, plotters have been talking about invading Congress since the beginning of January |access-date=8 January 2023 |website=Terra |language=pt-BR |archive-date=8 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230108230447/https://www.terra.com.br/byte/no-telegram-golpistas-falavam-de-invasao-ao-congresso-desde-comeco-de-janeiro,eb32e7542879048f48c82e0f30aa4414av9dzxap.html |url-status=live|url=https://www.terra.com.br/byte/no-telegram-golpistas-falavam-de-invasao-ao-congresso-desde-comeco-de-janeiro,eb32e7542879048f48c82e0f30aa4414av9dzxap.html }}
• {{Cite web |title=Bolsonaristas usam código "Festa da Selma" para coordenar invasão em Brasília |url=https://apublica.org/sentinela/2023/01/bolsonaristas-usam-codigo-festa-da-selma-para-coordenar-invasao-em-brasilia/ |access-date=9 January 2023 |website=Agência Pública |language=pt-BR |archive-date=9 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230109000003/https://apublica.org/sentinela/2023/01/bolsonaristas-usam-codigo-festa-da-selma-para-coordenar-invasao-em-brasilia/ |url-status=live }} Several groups and communities from throughout the country arranged for transport by bus to Brasília to participate in the demonstrations.{{Cite web |title=Mensagens mostram como bolsonaristas articularam ato em Brasília que levou a invasão de STF, Congresso e Planalto |url=https://g1.globo.com/politica/noticia/2023/01/08/mensagens-bolsonaristas-terroristas-brasilia.ghtml |access-date=9 January 2023 |website=G1 |date=8 January 2023 |language=pt-br |archive-date=8 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230108235659/https://g1.globo.com/politica/noticia/2023/01/08/mensagens-bolsonaristas-terroristas-brasilia.ghtml |url-status=live }} Many social media websites (such as Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok) did not moderate misleading claims about the election, meaning that people who used these sites to find information about the election were presented with these misleading claims.{{Cite news |last=Dwoskin |first=Elizabeth |date=9 January 2023 |title=Come to the 'war cry party': How social media helped drive mayhem in Brazil |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/01/08/brazil-bolsanaro-twitter-facebook/ |access-date=9 January 2023 |archive-date=9 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230109201018/https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/01/08/brazil-bolsanaro-twitter-facebook/ |url-status=live }} Before the attack, plans for protests in Brasília were referred to as "Selma's Party", a code phrase used on social media to discuss plans without arousing suspicion. Variants on the phrase were used to discuss planned riots in other cities.{{Cite news |first1=Hannah |last1=Gelbart |first2=Juliana |last2=Gragnani |first3=Ricardo |last3=Senra |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-trending-64223574 |title=Brazil: The code word used to invite protesters to a riot |date=10 January 2023 |publisher=BBC News |access-date=12 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110120931/https://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-trending-64223574 |archive-date=10 January 2023}}

Members of the federal cabinet were aware of the rioters' plans, but were assured by Rocha and Torres that the situation was under control. The district government on 6 January planned to prevent the rioters from reaching the National Congress, and had also closed access to its esplanade. However, Rocha changed the agreed-upon plans shortly before the protest and opened the esplanade to protesters. As a result, the security contingent was easily overwhelmed. The plan had called for the deployment of more than 1,300 officers from the Civil and Military Police, as well as about 200 officers of the National Public Security Force, but the actual number was far lower, which Rocha blamed on the public security secretary of Brasília, Anderson Torres.{{Cite news |date=9 January 2023 |title=Brazilian officials knew of protest, thought they could contain it |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/01/09/brazil-riot-telegram-organizers/ |access-date=10 January 2023 |newspaper=The Washington Post |language=en}} Justice Minister Flávio Dino later said that Anderson Torres had rejected the deployment of the National Public Security Force and did not accept the plan that called for deployment of reinforcements before the protest.{{Cite web |date=13 January 2023 |title='We Will Die for Brazil': How a Far-Right Mob Tried to Oust Lula |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/13/world/americas/brazil-protests-mob.html |author1=Jack Nicas |author2=Simon Romero |access-date=16 January 2023 |website=The New York Times |language=en}} O Estado de S. Paulo reported that the Planalto Military Command rejected the need for reinforcements at the presidential palace.

Anonymous government officials told The Washington Post that the buses that transported Bolsonaro supporters to Brasília had been paid for by donors from ten states, including some involved in agribusiness. Minister of Justice Flávio Dino stated that up to that point it had not been possible to "clearly distinguish" those responsible for financing the buses. He added: "What you can definitely say is that there was funding."{{Cite web |title=Governo já identificou em dez estados financiadores de atos terroristas, diz ministro da Justiça |url=https://g1.globo.com/politica/noticia/2023/01/09/governo-ja-identificou-financiadores-de-atos-terroristas-em-dez-estados-diz-ministro-da-justica.ghtml |access-date=10 January 2023 |website=G1 |trans-title=

Government has already identified financiers of terrorist acts in ten states, says Minister of Justice |date=9 January 2023 |language=pt-br}}

• {{Cite web |last=Mendes |first=Lucas |date=9 January 2023 |title=Financiadores de atos foram identificados em 10 Estados, diz Dino |url=https://www.poder360.com.br/governo/financiadores-de-atos-foram-identificados-em-10-estados-diz-dino/ |trans-title=Act financiers were identified in 10 states, says Dino|website=Poder360 |language=pt-br}} Dino later reiterated that the donors were from the agribusiness sector and engaged in illegal activities.{{Cite news |date=14 January 2023 |title=Brazil's military blocked arrests of Bolsonaro rioters, officials say |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/01/14/brazil-riot-investigation-military-collusion/ |access-date=15 January 2023 |newspaper=The Washington Post |language=en}}

According to the police, the rioters were prepared and appeared to know the location of key infrastructure such as fire hydrants, according to Alan Diego dos Santos Rodrigues, who was arrested for the attempted bombing at the Brasília International Airport. Many members of the military, both reserve and on-duty, took part in identifying and mapping the buildings, especially the Congress building.{{cite web |last1=Oliveira |first1=Thaisa |title=Condenado por bomba diz que militares extremistas mapearam segurança de Poderes |url=https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/poder/2023/07/condenado-por-bomba-diz-que-militares-extremistas-mapearam-seguranca-de-poderes.shtml |website=Folha de São Paulo |date=21 July 2023 |access-date=19 October 2023}} The group had allegedly been in Brasília since December, when they were at the protest camp in front of Army Headquarters. The group, called "the red berets", had been identified by the Brazilian Intelligence Agency as a "highly extremist, violent and anti democratic" group with the capability, ways and motivation to "gravely compromise the democratic state of law" and "plan, execute and incite violent attacks against authorities", including then president-elect Lula; most of the highly decentralised group were members of military paratrooper divisions and while they shared similar beliefs had no known leadership. The group was described as acting like mercenaries, paid for "services" such as making and delivering explosive devices to the airport in Brasília and mapping the installations of the National Congress and Supreme Federal Court buildings, as well as energy infrastructure in Brasília, possibly with the intention of carrying out terrorist attacks or assassinations against Lula and minister Alexandre de Moraes.{{Cite web|url=https://valor.globo.com/politica/noticia/2023/07/21/condenado-por-bomba-no-aeroporto-de-brasilia-detalha-acao-de-grupo-de-militares-extremistas.ghtml|title=Condenado por bomba no aeroporto de Brasília detalha ação de grupo de militares extremistas|date=2023-07-21|access-date=19 October 2023 |website=Valor Econômico|author=Thaísa Oliveira|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230722032945/https://valor.globo.com/politica/noticia/2023/07/21/condenado-por-bomba-no-aeroporto-de-brasilia-detalha-acao-de-grupo-de-militares-extremistas.ghtml|archive-date=2023-07-22}}

Other people involved in planning and executing the attack, such as Symon Albino (known as "Patriot Symon"), Diego Dias Ventura and Ana Priscila Azevedo, are suspected of inciting the attacks and paying for the buses that took protesters to Brasília. Albino and Azevedo made videos and posted on Telegram channels before the attack asking members to prepare and "not let communism take power", "collapse the system" and "take power by force". In addition they were allegedly close to the "red berets" and met with them before the attack.{{citation needed|date=February 2024}} Azevedo was the target of an operation by the Federal Police ordered by Alexandre de Moraes, and is preemptively under arrest after she shared videos of herself during the attack on the National Congress and the Federal Supreme Court (Portuguese: Supremo Tribunal Federal, STF), and Albino was arrested by the Federal Police in a similar operation. Army reservist Marcelo Soares Correa (known as Cabo Correa), appointed as the leader of the "red berets" group and linked to many of the group's activities, has not been found.{{citation needed|date=February 2024}} He was candidate for federal deputy for the Brazilian Woman's Party (PMB) in 2022, and had been detained in 2016 for invading the National Congress during a protest asking for military intervention. He also allegedly took part in the march from army headquarters to the Praça dos Três Poderes, and was reportedly heard saying that "pacifism has ended", which meant, according to police, that he intended to invade the federal buildings.{{cite web |last1=Duerti |first1=Camila |last2=Gonçalves |first2=Eduardo |title=Movimento do agro e 'boina vermelha': relatórios sigilosos da Abin apontam supostos articuladores de atos golpistas |url=https://oglobo.globo.com/politica/noticia/2023/07/07/movimento-do-agro-e-boina-vermelha-relatorios-sigilosos-da-abin-apontam-supostos-articuladores-de-atos-golpistas.ghtml |website=O Globo |date=7 July 2023 |access-date=19 October 2023}}

{{external media

| topic = News reports covering the timeline of the invasion

| headerimage= File:YouTube 2024.svg

| caption = via YouTube

| video1 = [https://youtube.com/watch?v=ZROR4mqpBQ4 Brazil: how exactly the storming of government buildings unfolded] (9 January 2023), by The Guardian

| video2 = [https://youtube.com/watch?v=pYj4qpl59hg 24 hours of terror: summary of the insurrectionist attack in Brasília] (9 January 2023), by Metrópoles (in Portuguese)

| video3 = [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxciQQRUMNk BBC Documentary {{!}} 8 January: The day that shook Brazil] (5 July 2023), by BBC News (in Portuguese)

}}

On the morning of 7 January, more than 100 buses (as well as an unknown number of private vehicles) arrived in Brasília from all parts of Brazil, bringing in radical Bolsonaro supporters to join the ~500 protesters camped in front of Army Headquarters and raising the total number of people there to over 4,000.{{Cite web|url=https://www.estadao.com.br/politica/mas-de-100-onibus-chegam-a-brasilia-neste-sabado-e-governo-promete-endurecer-contra-extremistas/|title=Mais de 100 ônibus chegam a Brasília e governo promete endurecer contra extremistas|date=7 January 2023|access-date=8 January 2023|website=|publisher=Estadão|author=Andreza Matais|language=pt-br|archive-date=8 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230108014856/https://www.estadao.com.br/politica/mas-de-100-onibus-chegam-a-brasilia-neste-sabado-e-governo-promete-endurecer-contra-extremistas/|url-status=live}} Early on 8 January, Defence Minister José Múcio visited the camp, reportedly saying that the situation was "calm, for now." Federal District governor Ibaneis Rocha sent a message to Justice Minister Flávio Dino, also claiming that there was no immediate threat to the security of the federal buildings; However, by 12:00, the Institutional Security Bureau had requested reinforcements of around 35 men at the Presidential Palace, and the police forces of the Congress and Supreme Court were placed on alert against a possible attack by the protesters against the buildings.{{cite web | url=https://noticias.uol.com.br/politica/ultimas-noticias/2024/01/08/8-de-janeiro-brasilia-passeata-confronto-invasao-de-predios-cronologia.htm | title=8 de janeiro teve passeata, confronto e invasão de prédios; veja cronologia | date=8 January 2024 }}

At 11:30, military police met with the protesters to discuss the march. The organisers allegedly agreed to the police's demands not to cross into the plaza itself, although police already feared possible escalation and violence. By around 13:00 BRT, the demonstrators began marching from the Army Headquarters towards Three Powers Plaza.{{Cite web |date=8 January 2023 |title=Partidarios de Bolsonaro invaden el Palacio presidencial, el Congreso y la Corte Suprema de Brasil |url=https://www.elmundo.es/internacional/2023/01/08/63bb0f9ffc6c83f24d8b459a.html |access-date=8 January 2023 |website=ELMUNDO |language=es |archive-date=8 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230108184928/https://www.elmundo.es/internacional/2023/01/08/63bb0f9ffc6c83f24d8b459a.html |trans-title=Violent invasion of Bolsonaro supporters in the headquarters of the three powers in Brazil: "It is an attempted coup d'état": A wave of people dressed in yellow and green has broken into and vandalized the headquarters of Congress, the Supreme Federal Court (STF) and the Planalto Palace. Lula da Silva describes what happened as "barbarism" |url-status=live }} As the protesters marched, military police escorted them, with one of the officers saying that they would "guarantee the security of the marchers", as well as attempt to prevent violence or confrontations. Some people were detained in front of the Ministry of Defence building and the National Stadium for reported vandalism, police later reported that a few of the detained were armed, also raising concerns about possible violent attacks by protestors against both police and the government buildings.

Some cases of violence were reported later by the end of the march: one car was vandalized and its driver attacked by demonstrators with sticks and stones after he allegedly "shouted profanities and made fun" of the marchers, police intervened in the situation and reportedly detained some of the people involved. Witnesses to the march later said that some protesters threatened to invade and vandalise government buildings such as those of the Congress, of the Supreme Federal Court (STF), and of the Superior Electoral Court (TSE), citing cases of protesters shouting threats against government officials, politicians, police and public buildings. One of the demonstrators detained by police in the march later confirmed that some among the mob indeed had previous intent to confront police and attack the Congress building, as well as possibly other buildings (such as the previously mentioned Supreme Court, Electoral Court and Presidential Palace).{{Cite web |date=2023-01-27 |title=Relatório do interventor mostra descaso na segurança que levou à tentativa de golpe. Veja a íntegra |url=https://congressoemfoco.uol.com.br/area/pais/relatorio-do-interventor-mostra-descaso-na-seguranca-que-levou-a-tentativa-de-golpe-veja-a-integra/ |access-date=2023-02-08 |website=Congresso em Foco |language=pt-BR}}

By the early afternoon, some demonstrators had reached the Three Powers Plaza, where around 100 people were concentrated. At around 14:00 BRT (UTC−03:00), a mob of protesters, some wearing masks and/or protective gear, as well as armed with sticks, stones, slingshots and sharp objects, broke through a ~30 men strong Military Police and {{ill|Special Operations Battalion (Brazil)|lt=Special Operations Battalion|pt|Batalhão de Operações Especiais (PMDF)}} (BOPE) barrier near the Cathedral of Brasília, with physical confrontation breaking out between the protesters and policemen, who, while outnumbered, used pepper spray, batons and tasers in an unsuccessful attempt to disperse the initial riot.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/11/world/americas/brazil-riots-congress-security.html|title=The Moment the Brazil Rioters Broke Through: Exclusive Video|author1=Jack Nicas|author2=André Spigariol|author3=Flávia Milhorance|author4=Ana Ionova|work=The New York Times|date=11 January 2023|access-date=12 January 2023}} Another barrier around 200 meters from the Congress building was also broken through by ~14:40, with police beginning to deploy tear gas and stun grenades against the rioters (as per standard Brazilian riot control protocols); Officers inside of the Congress building later requested reinforcements, as protesters began to attack and vandalize the windows and exterior of the building by 15:00. Despite this, some members of the military police were seen being lenient with the attackers, with some being caught on camera smiling, taking photos of/with the protesters or even guiding the rioters instead of detaining them.{{Cite web |title=Vídeo mostra policiais conversando com bolsonaristas e filmando invasão ao Congresso: 'Estão com o povo' |url=https://oglobo.globo.com/politica/noticia/2023/01/video-mostra-policiais-conversando-com-bolsonaristas-e-filmando-invasao-ao-congresso-estao-com-o-povo.ghtml |access-date=9 January 2023 |website=O Globo |date=8 January 2023 |language=pt-br |archive-date=8 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230108234448/https://oglobo.globo.com/politica/noticia/2023/01/video-mostra-policiais-conversando-com-bolsonaristas-e-filmando-invasao-ao-congresso-estao-com-o-povo.ghtml |url-status=live }}

File:Ataque bolsonarista de 8 de janeiro (2).png]]

File:Câmeras de seguranças do STF mostram local antes da invasão.webm

At around 15:10 BRT, the mob split into different groups. The first entered the National Congress building, and again clashed with police. Some time later, senator Veneziano do Rêgo confirmed to CNN Brazil that rioters had managed to enter the Congress building; according to him, they reached the upper floor, where the domes of the Federal Senate and the Chamber of Deputies are located, as well as the Green Hall of the Chamber of Deputies.{{Cite web |date=8 January 2023 |title=Manifestantes furam bloqueio da PM e invadem Congresso Nacional; veja vídeo |url=http://noticias.r7.com/brasilia/manifestantes-furam-bloqueio-da-pm-e-invadem-congresso-nacional-veja-video-08012023 |access-date=8 January 2023 |website=R7.com |language=pt-br |archive-date=8 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230108181710/https://noticias.r7.com/brasilia/manifestantes-furam-bloqueio-da-pm-e-invadem-congresso-nacional-veja-video-08012023 |url-status=live }}

A group of protesters attempted to hang a green and yellow banner from the building during the invasion, but were prevented from doing so as the confrontations (as well as the police's response) grew increasingly violent, many rioters also allegedly left the protest or went inside the buildings to "avoid being hit by rubber bullets or tear gas launched by Police". This claim, however, is disputed, as many people who claimed to not have "taken part in any type of rioting, violence or vandalism" during testimonies or trials were later proven to having been indeed actively taking part in the attack.{{cite web | url=https://noticias.stf.jus.br/postsnoticias/stf-condena-mais-10-reus-pelos-atos-antidemocraticos-de-8-1/ | title=STF condena mais 10 réus pelos atos antidemocráticos de 8/1 }}

Inside the Congress building, protesters clashed with the {{ill|Legislative Police (Brazil)|lt=Legislative|pt|Departamento de Polícia Legislativa}} and {{ill|Federal Senate Police (Brazil)|lt=Federal Senate|pt|Polícia do Senado Federal}} Police; videos show the heavily outnumbered police officers engaging in physical combat with rioters, attempting to stop them from overtaking and vandalizing the building, although the barrier was later broken, as the rioters managed to take over and ransack most of the upper floor of the Congress building. Around 16:00, protesters broke through the glass in the Green Room of the Congress building and clashed with about 60 Legislative Police officers in the Deputies' Chamber and Senate, throwing rocks, small steel/tin spheres and water jets (as well as tear gas and stun grenades launched by police) at the police barricade, which responded by attacking the invaders with batons and pepper spray.{{Cite web |date=2023-01-16 |title=Vídeos: câmeras em uniformes de policiais registram invasão ao Congresso |url=https://www.metropoles.com/brasil/veja-videos-do-confronto-entre-policias-e-terroristas-no-congresso-em-8-1 |access-date=2023-10-19 |website=Metrópoles |language=pt-BR}} Rioters also attempted to access the plenary of the Senate, but were temporarily fended off by police.

Part of the mob later climbed the ramp of the Congress building by 15:15 and reached the Supreme Federal Court building and the Palácio do Planalto (Presidential Palace), where rioters attacked police and vandalised the exterior of the buildings.{{Cite web |trans-title=Terrorists invade and vandalize the STF; door named after Moraes is torn down |title=Terroristas invadem e depredam STF; porta com nome de Moraes é arrancada |url=https://noticias.uol.com.br/politica/ultimas-noticias/2023/01/08/golpistas-invadem-predio-do-stf-e-destroem-plenario.htm |access-date=2023-01-31 |website=noticias.uol.com.br |language=pt-br}} Between 15:30 and 16:00, after several confrontations, the protesters nearly managed to take over both buildings, with more vandalism and violence reported.{{Cite web |date=8 January 2023 |title=Invasión violenta de partidarios de Bolsonaro en las sedes de los tres poderes en Brasil: "Es un intento de golpe de Estado" |trans-title=Violent invasion of Bolsonaro supporters in the headquarters of the three powers in Brazil: "It is an attempted coup d'état"|url=https://www.elmundo.es/internacional/2023/01/08/63bb0f9ffc6c83f24d8b459a.html |access-date=9 January 2023 |website=ELMUNDO |language=es |archive-date=8 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230108223739/https://www.elmundo.es/internacional/2023/01/08/63bb0f9ffc6c83f24d8b459a.html |url-status=live}} In the Supreme Federal Court building, police arrested eight rioters who attempted to enter the offices inside the building. Protesters also extended a Brazilian flag in the windows of the building in an attempt to protect against the rubber bullets, water cannons and stun grenades used by police. Inside the presidential palace, the mob clashed yet again with police, with many vandalizing and looting several areas of the building during the fighting. Some rooms were severely damaged, and a small group of invaders was able to get into restricted areas of the building, with some attempting to enter President Lula's office, although they were barred by security. Despite this, video later released by CNN Brazil shows members of the Institutional Security Bureau apparently being lenient with the invaders. Some were seen guiding them out of the building, and one official even distributed water to the rioters. Among those accused of leniency was then-secretary Marco Edson Gonçalves Dias, who can be seen in videos calmly talking with protesters and guiding them out of the areas. No arrests were made by the bureau's security forces.{{cite web|url=https://noticias.uol.com.br/politica/ultimas-noticias/2023/04/19/apos-video-vazado-ministro-gsi-pede-afastamento.htm|title=Após vídeo, ministro do GSI pede afastamento durante investigações|website=UOL|language=pt|date=19 April 2023|access-date=19 April 2023|archive-date=19 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230419203413/https://noticias.uol.com.br/politica/ultimas-noticias/2023/04/19/apos-video-vazado-ministro-gsi-pede-afastamento.htm|url-status=live}} Dias later resigned.{{cite web|url=https://www.cnnbrasil.com.br/politica/apos-videos-revelados-pela-cnn-goncalves-dias-pede-afastamento-do-gsi/|title=Após vídeos revelados pela CNN, Gonçalves Dias pede demissão do GSI|website=CNN Brasil|language=pt|date=19 April 2023|access-date=19 April 2023|archive-date=19 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230419202556/https://www.cnnbrasil.com.br/politica/apos-videos-revelados-pela-cnn-goncalves-dias-pede-afastamento-do-gsi/|url-status=live}}

By 16:25 BRT, soldiers from the National Public Security Force reached the Ministries' Esplanade and began supporting the police forces there, with Ibaneis Rocha telling STF Minister Rosa Weber that he had "sent all security forces available to the region". A National Public Security Force vehicle was vandalised and, either by protesters or by the driver, pushed into the reflecting pool of the monument during the confrontations, with a man later attempting, unsuccessfully, to set fire to the vehicle.{{Cite web |title=Terroristas bolsonaristas invadem Congresso Nacional, Palácio do Planalto e STF, em Brasília |url=https://g1.globo.com/df/distrito-federal/noticia/2023/01/08/bolsonaristas-radicais-entram-em-confronto-com-a-policia-na-esplanada-e-sobem-rampa-do-congresso-nacional-em-brasilia.ghtml |access-date=8 January 2023 |website=G1 |date=8 January 2023 |language=pt-br |archive-date=8 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230108181144/https://g1.globo.com/df/distrito-federal/noticia/2023/01/08/bolsonaristas-radicais-entram-em-confronto-com-a-policia-na-esplanada-e-sobem-rampa-do-congresso-nacional-em-brasilia.ghtml |url-status=live }} Troops from the Brazilian Army's presidential battalion also responded, with several soldiers and two helicopters being later dispatched from headquarters in an attempt to disperse the crowd.{{cite news |last1=Spigariol |first1=André |title=Dozens of Army soldiers entered the presidential offices... |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2023/01/08/world/brazil-congress-protests-bolsonaro/229caea2-a9e8-54b6-aa3a-42063972b4dc?smid=url-share |access-date=8 January 2023 |work=The New York Times |date=8 January 2023 |archive-date=8 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230108203726/https://www.nytimes.com/live/2023/01/08/world/brazil-congress-protests-bolsonaro/229caea2-a9e8-54b6-aa3a-42063972b4dc?smid=url-share |url-status=live }} Also at 16:25 BRT, Augusto Aras, the Prosecutor-General of Brazil, asked the Prosecutor-General of the Federal District to open a criminal investigation.

By 16:40, the military police's riot and cavalry units had arrived at the plaza and begun dispersing rioters with batons, pepper spray and stun grenades. Ibaneis Rocha later asked the secretary-executive of public security of Brasília, Fernando Sousa to retake control over the Congress building and "arrest as many as possible".{{Cite news |agency=Agence France-Presse |work=The Times of Israel |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/brazil-police-retake-congress-clear-out-buildings-overrun-by-pro-bolsonaro-rioters/ |title=Brazil police retake Congress, clear out buildings overrun by pro-Bolsonaro rioters |date=8 January 2023 |access-date=9 January 2023 |archive-date=9 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230109002345/https://www.timesofisrael.com/brazil-police-retake-congress-clear-out-buildings-overrun-by-pro-bolsonaro-rioters/ |url-status=live }} At around the same time, small reinforcements sent by the Federal Police's Tactical and Aerial operations commands (such as helicopters and armored vehicles), as well as some officers and vehicles from the Civil Police of the Federal District (including its Special Operations unit) arrived to monitor the situation and support the military police in retaking the buildings (including with the use of rubber bullets and stun/tear gas bombs fired by anti-riot units).{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBNsYHl_PtE|title=Forças de segurança lançam bombas de efeito moral contra golpistas no STF|date=25 January 2023|via=YouTube}} By around 17:00 BRT, security forces had regained control of the Congress building, and almost managed to retake the Supreme Court, though some rioters remained encamped in its parking garage.{{Cite news |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/01/08/bolsonaro-supporters-brazil-congress/#link-ACSC6VLUUZB47NL64ERWG2B6OU |title=Brazilian security forces retake control of government buildings |date=8 January 2023 |access-date=9 January 2023 |archive-date=9 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230109001208/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/01/08/bolsonaro-supporters-brazil-congress/#link-ACSC6VLUUZB47NL64ERWG2B6OU |url-status=live }}

At 17:08 BRT, the governor of the Federal District, Ibaneis Rocha, made assurances that he was "taking all measures to contain the anti-democratic riot in the Ministries' Esplanade"; in addition, he dismissed the secretary of security of the Federal District, Anderson Torres, who was still in the Florida, replacing him with executive secretary Fernando Sousa.{{Cite tweet |title=Estou em Brasília monitorando as manifestações e tomando todas as providências para conter a baderna antidemocrática na Esplanada dos Ministérios. |first=Ibaneis |last=Rocha |user=IbaneisOficial |number=1612179565178408961 |access-date=8 January 2023 |language=pt-br}}{{Cite tweet |title=Determinei a exoneração do Secretário de Segurança DF, ao mesmo tempo em que coloquei todo o efetivo das forças de segurança nas ruas, com determinação de prender e punir os responsáveis. Também solicitei apoio do governo federal e coloco o GDF à disposição do mesmo. |first=Ibaneis |last=Rocha |user=IbaneisOficial |number=1612179567351066624 |access-date=8 January 2023 |language=pt-br}} At 17:50 BRT, Lula announced that he had signed a decree authorising a federal public security intervention in Brasília, to continue until 31 January. Lula also blamed Bolsonaro for the attack during an interview. By 18:00, the Supreme Federal Court was declared clear of rioters, with many arrests still being made around the building.

File:Ataque bolsonarista de 8 de janeiro (5).png]]

File:Vândalos atacam a fachada do edifício-sede do STF.webm

Lula invoked Article 34, Subheading III of the Federal Constitution, which empowers the government to put an end to a serious impairment of public order.{{Cite web |title=Leia a íntegra do decreto de intervenção no Distrito Federal assinado por Lula |url=https://noticias.uol.com.br/ultimas-noticias/bbc/2023/01/08/leia-a-integra-do-decreto-de-intervencao-no-distrito-federal-assinado-por-lula.htm |access-date=8 January 2023 |website=noticias.uol.com.br |language=pt-br |archive-date=8 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230108215046/https://noticias.uol.com.br/ultimas-noticias/bbc/2023/01/08/leia-a-integra-do-decreto-de-intervencao-no-distrito-federal-assinado-por-lula.htm |url-status=live }} It was the third application of Article 34 of the 1988 Federal Constitution, which had previously been applied in Rio de Janeiro and Roraima during the Temer administration.{{Cite web |title=Intervenção federal no RJ é a 1ª desde a Constituição de 1988 |url=https://g1.globo.com/rj/rio-de-janeiro/noticia/intervencao-federal-no-rj-e-a-1-desde-a-constituicao-de-1988.ghtml |access-date=8 January 2023 |website=G1 |date=16 February 2018 |language=pt-br |archive-date=8 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230108212452/https://g1.globo.com/rj/rio-de-janeiro/noticia/intervencao-federal-no-rj-e-a-1-desde-a-constituicao-de-1988.ghtml |url-status=live }} Ricardo Cappelli, executive secretary of the Ministry of Justice and Public Security, was appointed as intervenor.{{Cite web |title=Ricardo Garcia Cappelli |url=http://www.une.org.br/presidentes/ricardo-garcia-cappelli/ |access-date=8 January 2023 |website=UNE – União Nacional dos Estudantes |language=pt-br |archive-date=8 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230108210720/https://www.une.org.br/presidentes/ricardo-garcia-cappelli/ |url-status=live }}

• {{Cite web |title=Lula decreta intervenção federal na segurança do Distrito Federal |url=https://oglobo.globo.com/politica/noticia/2023/01/lula-decreta-intervencao-federal-no-distrito-federal.ghtml |access-date=8 January 2023 |website=O Globo |date=8 January 2023 |language=pt-br |archive-date=8 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230108210101/https://oglobo.globo.com/politica/noticia/2023/01/lula-decreta-intervencao-federal-no-distrito-federal.ghtml |url-status=live }} The intervention relieved Federal District governor, Ibaneis Rocha, of the authority to oversee security in the district,{{Cite web |last=Audi |first=Amanda |date=8 January 2023 |title=Lula calls for security intervention to quell putschist invasion |url=https://brazilian.report/liveblog/2023/01/08/lula-intervention-brasilia/ |access-date=9 January 2023 |website=The Brazilian Report |language=en-US |archive-date=9 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230109011112/https://brazilian.report/liveblog/2023/01/08/lula-intervention-brasilia/ |url-status=live }} and lasted until 31 January.{{Cite web |title=Lula declares security intervention in Brazil capital after Bolsonarista riot |date=8 January 2023 |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/lula-declares-security-intervention-brazil-205639778.html |access-date=9 January 2023 |publisher=Yahoo! Finance |language=en-US |archive-date=9 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230109001107/https://finance.yahoo.com/news/lula-declares-security-intervention-brazil-205639778.html |url-status=live }}

File:Ataque bolsonarista de 8 de janeiro.png

File:Imagens de câmeras internas mostram golpistas dentro do STF.webm

At 18:20 BRT, protesters reportedly attempted to set fire to the lawn in front of the National Congress. Later, the {{ill|Military Police of the Federal District|pt|Polícia Militar do Distrito Federal}} (PMDF) reported it had begun to clear rioters out of the buildings.{{Cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2023/01/08/americas/brazil-bolsonaro-supporters-breach-congress/index.html|publisher=CNN|title=Bolsonaro supporters breach security barriers, break into Brazilian Congress and presidential palace|first1=Flora|last1=Charner|first2=Marcia|last2=Reverdosa|first3=Rodrigo|last3=Pedroso|first4=Dakin|last4=Andone|first5=Alaa|last5=Elassar|date=8 January 2023 |access-date=8 January 2023|archive-date=8 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230108234602/https://edition.cnn.com/2023/01/08/americas/brazil-bolsonaro-supporters-breach-congress/index.html|url-status=live}} At 18:30 BRT, The Attorney General of the Union reported that he had filed a request for Torres's arrest.{{Cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/bolsonaro-supporters-invade-congress-presidential-palace-brasilia-2023-01-08/|publisher=Reuters|date=9 November 2023|title=Bolsonaro supporters invade Brazil presidential palace, Congress, Supreme Court|access-date=9 January 2023|archive-date=8 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230108204934/https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/bolsonaro-supporters-invade-congress-presidential-palace-brasilia-2023-01-08/|url-status=live}}

The Brazilian Army arrived in military trucks in the late afternoon and ambushed the intruders in the presidential palace through the back door, the rioters had left the building by 18:45 BRT, with some being escorted out by the police.{{Cite news |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2023-01-08/pro-bolsonaro-protesters-storm-brazils-congress |title=Pro-Bolsonaro protesters storm Brazil's Congress, high court and presidential palace |date=8 January 2023 |access-date=9 January 2023 |archive-date=9 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230109005319/https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2023-01-08/pro-bolsonaro-protesters-storm-brazils-congress |url-status=live }} By 19:00 BRT, over 150 people had been arrested by the security forces, at least 30 of them in flagrante delicto in the Federal Senate, with police reporting that many more arrests would be made.{{Cite web |last=Minas |first=Estado de |date=8 January 2023 |title=Invasão em Brasília: 150 terroristas foram presos |url=https://www.em.com.br/app/noticia/politica/2023/01/08/interna_politica,1442230/invasao-em-brasilia-150-terroristas-foram-presos.shtml |access-date=8 January 2023 |website=Estado de Minas |language=pt-BR |archive-date=8 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230108223327/https://www.em.com.br/app/noticia/politica/2023/01/08/interna_politica,1442230/invasao-em-brasilia-150-terroristas-foram-presos.shtml |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=8 January 2023 |title=Em retirada da Esplanada pela Polícia, 150 são presos e Justiça determina multa de até R$ 100 mil |url=https://exame.com/brasil/policia-retira-bolsonaristas-da-rampa-do-palacio-do-planalto/ |access-date=8 January 2023 |website=Exame |language=pt-br |archive-date=8 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230108225621/https://exame.com/brasil/policia-retira-bolsonaristas-da-rampa-do-palacio-do-planalto/ |url-status=live }} By 20:00, police announced that all three buildings had been cleared, although some protesters were still being detained in an attempt to escape from the plaza, with the total amount of those arrested put at over 240; Around the same time, Interventor Secretary of Justice of the Federal District Ricardo Capelli also called for further reinforcements to the police to assist in detaining the rioters.{{cite web | url=https://www.terra.com.br/nos/8-de-janeiro-relembre-a-cronologia-dos-ataques-em-brasilia,cf189f2db4252b25b73d419f05c83b1fzj6ffswp.html | title=8 de janeiro: Relembre a cronologia dos ataques em Brasília }} Justice Minister Flávio Dino announced the end of the riot by 21:00 BRT, reaffirming that all three buildings had been cleared.

File:Ataque bolsonarista de 8 de janeiro (3).png]]

{{See also|Artworks damaged, destroyed or stolen during the 2023 Brazilian Congress attack}}

File:Invasão do prédio do Congresso Nacional (52616674782).jpg

File:Invasão do prédio do Congresso Nacional (52615639917).jpg

File:Invasão do prédio do Congresso Nacional (52615636677).jpg

A number of important spaces in the three stormed buildings were extensively vandalised and looted, including Noble Hall and the plenary chamber of the Federal Supreme Court, the Green, Blue, and Black Halls and the lobby of the Congress building, as well as the First Lady's office at the Planalto Palace. Many other spaces like corridors, windows, rooms and offices were also vandalised, and a large number of furniture, equipment and other objects were damaged.{{Cite web |title=Grupo de vândalos deixa rastro de destruição, com cadeiras arrancadas e pichações |url=https://noticias.uol.com.br/ultimas-noticias/agencia-estado/2023/01/09/grupo-de-vandalos-deixa-rastro-de-destruicao-com-cadeiras-arrancadas-e-pichacoes.htm |access-date=9 January 2023 |website=noticias.uol.com.br |language=pt-br}}{{Cite web |date=8 January 2023 |title=Bolsonaristas deixam rastro de destruição no STF: veja antes e depois {{!}} Metrópoles |url=https://www.metropoles.com/brasil/bolsonaristas-deixam-rastro-de-destruicao-no-stf-veja-antes-e-depois |access-date=9 January 2023 |website=www.metropoles.com |language=pt-BR}}{{Cite web |date=9 January 2023 |title=Veja as imagens dos palácios de Brasília depredados por golpistas |url=https://congressoemfoco.uol.com.br/projeto-bula/reportagem/patriotas-nao-vandalos-veja-as-imagens-dos-palacios-de-brasilia-depredados/ |access-date=9 January 2023 |website=Congresso em Foco |language=pt-BR}} Several spaces were completely destroyed.{{Cite web |title=Funcionários encontram Planalto depredado e acham rastro de sangue: 'chorei' |url=https://noticias.uol.com.br/ultimas-noticias/afp/2023/01/09/chorei---o-amargo-retorno-ao-palacio-do-planalto-apos-a-depredacao.htm |access-date=9 January 2023 |website=noticias.uol.com.br |language=pt-br}} The rioters destroyed fire hydrants to impede the fight against fires that broke out at various points of the invasion.{{Cite web |date=8 January 2023 |title=Invasão aos Três Poderes danifica vitral no Congresso e mural de Di Cavalcanti; veja |url=https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/ilustrada/2023/01/invasao-aos-tres-poderes-danifica-vitral-no-congresso-e-mural-de-di-cavalcanti-veja.shtml |access-date=9 January 2023 |website=Folha de S.Paulo |language=pt-BR}}

File:Golpistas depredam área interna do STF.webm

In addition to structural damage, several works of art, mainly paintings, vases, and historical objects such as chairs, clocks, carpets, and tables) were damaged, stolen or destroyed during the attack{{Cite web |title=Conheça o relógio de dom João 6º destruído por golpistas no Congresso |url=https://br.noticias.yahoo.com/conhe%C3%A7a-o-rel%C3%B3gio-dom-jo%C3%A3o-140500884.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230109141933/https://br.noticias.yahoo.com/conhe%C3%A7a-o-rel%C3%B3gio-dom-jo%C3%A3o-140500884.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=9 January 2023 |access-date=9 January 2023 |publisher=Yahoo! |language=pt-BR}}{{Cite web |title=Di Cavalcanti, Constituição e vitral: extremistas destroem acervo cultural e histórico |url=https://www.estadao.com.br/cultura/artes/obras-de-di-cavalcanti-e-de-marianne-peretti-sao-danificadas-por-vandalos-em-brasilia/ |access-date=9 January 2023 |website=Estadão |language=pt-br |archive-date=9 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230109002608/https://www.estadao.com.br/cultura/artes/obras-de-di-cavalcanti-e-de-marianne-peretti-sao-danificadas-por-vandalos-em-brasilia/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Veja lista de objetos depredados nas três sedes do poder, em Brasília |url=https://g1.globo.com/politica/noticia/2023/01/08/veja-lista-de-objetos-depredados-nas-tres-sedes-do-poder-em-brasilia.ghtml |access-date=9 January 2023 |website=G1 |date=8 January 2023 |language=pt-br |archive-date=8 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230108235513/https://g1.globo.com/politica/noticia/2023/01/08/veja-lista-de-objetos-depredados-nas-tres-sedes-do-poder-em-brasilia.ghtml |url-status=live }} In the Planalto, the desk used by former president Juscelino Kubitschek was reportedly destroyed after it was used in a barricade, and {{ill|As Mulatas|pt}}, a painting by modernist Emiliano Di Cavalcanti, was stabbed repeatedly.{{cite news |last1=Lawson-Tancred |first1=Jo |title=Here Are the Artworks Destroyed by Pro-Bolsonaro Rioters in the Storming of Brazil's Oscar Niemeyer-Designed Capital Buildings |url=https://news.artnet.com/art-world/here-are-the-artworks-destroyed-by-pro-bolsonaro-rioters-in-the-storming-of-brazils-oscar-niemeyer-designed-capital-buildings-2240129 |work=Artnet News |date=9 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230114035855/https://news.artnet.com/art-world/here-are-the-artworks-destroyed-by-pro-bolsonaro-rioters-in-the-storming-of-brazils-oscar-niemeyer-designed-capital-buildings-2240129 |archive-date=14 January 2023 |url-status=live}} "A Justiça", a statue by Alfredo Ceschiatti, was sprayed with graffiti,{{Cite web |last=Poder360 |date=2023-01-08 |title=Veja a depredação dentro do Supremo Tribunal Federal |url=https://www.poder360.com.br/brasil/veja-a-depredacao-dentro-do-supremo-tribunal-federal/ |access-date=2023-01-31 |website=Poder360 |language=pt-br}} and "Araguaia", a stained glass window by Marianne Peretti, was damaged.

File:A Justiça escultura BSB 08 2005 24v.jpg

"A Bailarina", a sculpture by Victor Brecheret, was taken by a protester, but later found damaged on the ground.{{Cite web |title='Foi uma cafajestada', diz filha de Brecheret sobre ataque contra escultura na Câmara dos Deputados |url=https://oglobo.globo.com/cultura/noticia/2023/01/foi-uma-cafajestada-diz-filha-de-brecheret-sobre-ataque-contra-escultura-na-camara-dos-deputados.ghtml |access-date=2023-01-31 |website=O Globo |date=9 January 2023 |language=pt-br}} A rare clock made by Balthazar Martinot given by the French court to John VI of Portugal was thrown to the ground by a protester who was later arrested by police.{{Cite web |title=Vândalo que atacou relógio de Dom João VI no Palácio do Planalto é preso em MG |url=https://g1.globo.com/jornal-nacional/noticia/2023/01/23/vandalo-que-atacou-relogio-de-dom-joao-vi-no-palacio-do-planalto-e-preso-em-mg.ghtml |access-date=2023-01-31 |website=G1 |date=24 January 2023 |language=pt-br}}

A soccer ball signed by Neymar was stolen by a protester, but later recovered by the Federal Police.{{Cite web |title=O Estado de S. Paulo |url=https://digital.estadao.com.br/o-estado-de-s-paulo/20230131/281767043364898 |access-date=2023-01-31 |website=digital.estadao.com.br}} A golden shell with a pearl, which was a gift from the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister of Qatar, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, was taken by rioters, while a decoration in the shape of an ostrich egg, a gift from Ahmed Ibrahim El-Tahir, the President of the Sudanese National Assembly, was destroyed; two vases, given by Lászlo Kövér, President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Hungary, and Wang Zhaoguo, Vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of the People's Republic of China, to Marco Maia, President of the Chamber of Deputies, were also destroyed during the attack.{{Cite web |title=Pérola do Catar e bola autografada por Neymar foram levadas durante invasão da Câmara - Notícias |url=https://www.camara.leg.br/noticias/933432-perola-do-catar-e-bola-autografada-por-neymar-foram-levadas-durante-invasao-da-camara/ |access-date=2023-01-31 |website=Portal da Câmara dos Deputados |language=pt-br}} A bust of Ruy Barbosa, as well as a carpet that was owned by Princess Isabel (and several other carpets soaked by anti-fire systems) were also damaged.{{Cite web |title=Busto de Rui Barbosa e tapete da Princesa Isabel: terroristas destroem patrimônio histórico |url=https://www.folhape.com.br/politica/busto-de-rui-barbosa-e-tapete-da-princesa-isabel-terroristas-destroem/253276/ |access-date=2023-01-31 |website=www.folhape.com.br |language=pt-br}} Furniture brought from the Monroe Palace was damaged, as well as an inkwell from the times of the Empire of Brazil, a Persian carpet,{{Cite web |title=Museu traça plano de restauração e reposição de peças atingidas na invasão |url=https://www12.senado.leg.br/noticias/materias/2023/01/10/museu-traca-plano-de-restauracao-e-reposicao-de-pecas-atingidas-na-invasao |access-date=2023-01-31 |website=Senado Federal |language=pt-br}} and the chair used by Rosa Weber, designed by Jorge Zalszupin.

Electronic devices – including laptops, phones, desktops, printers, photographic lenses and televisions – were also damaged or stolen by protesters;{{Cite web |date=2023-01-09 |title=Bolsonaristas roubaram iPhones, Macbooks, armas e lente de R$ 40 mil {{!}} Metrópoles |url=https://www.metropoles.com/colunas/guilherme-amado/bolsonaristas-roubaram-iphones-macbooks-armas-e-lente-de-r-40-mil |access-date=2023-01-31 |website=www.metropoles.com |language=pt-BR}} other items, such as an original of the 1988 constitution book and a Coat of arms of Brazil, were initially taken by the rioters, but later found among the rubble in the Supreme Federal Court building. The coat of arms was damaged, but the copy of the constitution was found intact.{{Cite web |title=Exemplar original da Constituição não foi roubado por golpistas, diz STF {{!}} Radar |url=https://veja.abril.com.br/coluna/radar/exemplar-original-da-constituicao-nao-foi-roubado-por-golpistas-diz-stf/ |access-date=9 January 2023 |website=VEJA |language=pt-BR}}{{Cite web |title=STF diz que exemplar original da Constituição está intacto após invasão de bolsonaristas |url=https://g1.globo.com/politica/noticia/2023/01/08/stf-diz-que-exemplar-original-da-constituicao-esta-intacto-apos-invasao-de-bolsonaristas.ghtml |access-date=9 January 2023 |website=G1 |date=9 January 2023 |language=pt-br |archive-date=9 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230109013525/https://g1.globo.com/politica/noticia/2023/01/08/stf-diz-que-exemplar-original-da-constituicao-esta-intacto-apos-invasao-de-bolsonaristas.ghtml |url-status=live }} The offices of the Workers' Party and of the Brazilian Social Democracy Party in the Congress building were also invaded and vandalised by the mob.{{Cite web |title=Escritórios do PT e do PSDB na Câmara ficaram destruídos |url=https://www.estadao.com.br/politica/coluna-do-estadao/escritorios-do-pt-e-do-psdb-na-camara-ficaram-destruidos/ |access-date=9 January 2023 |website=Estadão |language=pt-br}} Inside the STF building, the ministers' chairs and a crucifix were taken or vandalised by the rioters, and the office of Alexandre de Moraes was ransacked; its door was sprayed with graffiti, and a closet's door was taken by a protester. Other offices were also vandalised, with some chairs and tables used in barricades.{{Cite web |last=Rodrigues |first=Basília |title=Uma semana após ataques, brasão da República e crucifixo voltam reconstituídos ao STF; veja imagens |url=https://www.cnnbrasil.com.br/politica/uma-semana-apos-ataques-brasao-da-republica-e-crucifixo-voltam-reconstituidos-ao-stf-veja-imagens/ |access-date= |website=CNN Brasil |language=pt-BR}} Rioters urinated and defecated in the press areas of the Congress building and Supreme Federal Court building, as well as in the Planalto Palace.{{cite news |last1=Phillips |first1=Tom |title='Bottles, glass, bullets': inside the wreckage of Brazil's failed coup |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jan/09/brazil-failed-coup-wreckage |work=The Guardian |date=10 January 2023}} Protesters also stole weapons, munitions and documents from the Office of Institutional Security in the Planalto.{{Cite web |title=VÍDEO: Ministro da Secretaria de Comunicação diz que armas e munições do GSI foram roubadas |url=https://g1.globo.com/politica/noticia/2023/01/08/video-ministro-da-secretaria-de-comunicacao-diz-que-armas-e-municoes-do-gsi-foram-roubadas.ghtml |access-date=9 January 2023 |website=G1 |date=9 January 2023 |language=pt-br |archive-date=9 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230109003342/https://g1.globo.com/politica/noticia/2023/01/08/video-ministro-da-secretaria-de-comunicacao-diz-que-armas-e-municoes-do-gsi-foram-roubadas.ghtml |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Armas letais e documentos foram roubados do GSI durante ataque em Brasilia |url=https://www.band.uol.com.br/noticias/armas-letais-e-documentos-foram-roubados-do-gsi-durante-ataque-em-brasilia-16573536 |access-date=9 January 2023 |website=band.uol.com.br |date=8 January 2023 |language=pt-BR |archive-date=9 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230109013856/https://www.band.uol.com.br/noticias/armas-letais-e-documentos-foram-roubados-do-gsi-durante-ataque-em-brasilia-16573536 |url-status=live }} In an interview with CNN Brasil, Senator Randolfe Rodrigues said five grenades were found after the attack, three of them at the Supreme Court and two at the Congress complex.{{Cite web |last=diegomendes |title=Cinco granadas foram deixadas no STF e Congresso, diz Randolfe |url=https://www.cnnbrasil.com.br/politica/cinco-granadas-foram-deixadas-no-stf-e-congresso-diz-randolfe/ |access-date=10 January 2023 |website=CNN Brasil |language=pt-BR |archive-date=9 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230109201229/https://www.cnnbrasil.com.br/politica/cinco-granadas-foram-deixadas-no-stf-e-congresso-diz-randolfe/ |url-status=live }}

Several journalists were attacked during the protests. Folha de São Paulo photographer Pedro Ladeira was attacked and robbed by rioters.{{cite news |last1=Boechat |first1=Yan |title=Pedro Ladeira, a photographer with the large Brazilian newspaper |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2023/01/08/world/brazil-congress-protests-bolsonaro/942974f7-2043-54a5-8dc4-75dea28f59ee?smid=url-share |work=The New York Times |date=8 January 2023 |access-date=8 January 2023 |archive-date=8 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230108202723/https://www.nytimes.com/live/2023/01/08/world/brazil-congress-protests-bolsonaro/942974f7-2043-54a5-8dc4-75dea28f59ee?smid=url-share |url-status=live }} A journalist for Metrópoles was also attacked during the storming.{{cite news |last1=Coelho |first1=Leonardo |title=The CEO of the Metropoles media group ... |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2023/01/08/world/brazil-congress-protests-bolsonaro/383d0455-6020-55c8-8e2a-25fd7ebd2e77 |access-date=8 January 2023 |work=The New York Times |date=8 January 2023 |archive-date=8 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230108210723/https://www.nytimes.com/live/2023/01/08/world/brazil-congress-protests-bolsonaro/383d0455-6020-55c8-8e2a-25fd7ebd2e77 |url-status=live }} Journalists and photographers from BandNews, O Tempo, AFP and Reuters were also attacked. Some were pushed to the ground and had their equipment stolen or damaged.{{Cite web |last=TEMPO |first=O. |date=8 January 2023 |title=Invasões em Brasília são marcadas por violência e agressões à imprensa {{!}} O TEMPO |url=https://www.otempo.com.br/politica/invasoes-em-brasilia-sao-marcadas-por-violencia-e-agressoes-a-imprensa-1.2794245 |access-date=9 January 2023 |website=www.otempo.com.br |language=pt-BR |archive-date=9 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230109005039/https://www.otempo.com.br/politica/invasoes-em-brasilia-sao-marcadas-por-violencia-e-agressoes-a-imprensa-1.2794245 |url-status=live }} At least ten journalists and photographers from different news outlets were attacked and/or robbed during the riot.{{Cite web |title=Ao menos dez jornalistas são agredidos e tiveram equipamentos roubados por terroristas em Brasília |url=https://oglobo.globo.com/politica/noticia/2023/01/ao-menos-oito-jornalista-sao-agredidos-e-tiveram-equipamentos-roubados-por-terroristas-em-brasilia.ghtml |access-date=2023-01-31 |website=O Globo |date=8 January 2023 |language=pt-br}}

On 9 January 2023 (one day after the Brasília attacks), three transmission towers in the states of Rondônia and Paraná (both of which are Bolsonaro's strongholds) were pulled down and cut off of Brazil's power grid. In the most serious incident, one tower connecting Brazil's mega hydropower plant Itaipu to the country's grid was damaged by a tractor.{{Cite web |title=Três torres de transmissão de energia são derrubadas, e governo cria grupo de crise |url=https://extra.globo.com/economia-e-financas/tres-torres-de-transmissao-de-energia-sao-derrubadas-governo-cria-grupo-de-crise-rv1-1-25641775.html |first=Manoel |last=Ventura |date=10 January 2023 |access-date=14 January 2023 |website=Extra |language=pt-BR}} According to the Brazilian National Electricity watchdog (ANEEL), no storm or natural disaster happened in those areas to sustain a natural cause for the towers collapse, which raised suspicions among government officials that some acts of sabotage by Bolsonaro supporters were underway to knock out power.{{Cite news |date=13 January 2023 |title='Sabotage' likely culprit for Brazil's Eletrobras towers collapse, sources say |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/sabotage-likely-culprit-brazils-eletrobras-towers-collapse-sources-say-2023-01-13/ |access-date=14 January 2023}} An additional tower in the countryside of São Paulo state was damaged on 13 January.{{Cite web |title=Torre de energia em SP é alvo de sabotagem |url=https://valor.globo.com/politica/noticia/2023/01/13/torre-de-energia-em-sp-e-alvo-de-sabotagem.ghtml |first=Rafael |last=Bitencourt |date=13 January 2023 |access-date=14 January 2023 |website=Valor Econômico |language=pt-br}}{{Cite web |date=13 January 2023 |title=Quarta linha de transmissão tem suspeita de sabotagem |url=https://epbr.com.br/quarta-linha-de-transmissao-tem-suspeita-de-sabotagem/ |first=Luma |last=Poletti |access-date=14 January 2023 |website=agência epbr |language=pt-BR}} However, alternative towers were switched on and no effective power cut took place in all the incidents.

File:Lula decreta intervenção federal no DF.webm

During the attack, Minister of Justice and Public Security, Flávio Dino, announced in a press conference that approximately 200 people had been arrested in flagrante delicto, and that new arrests were still being made. According to Dino, several buses to Brasília, and their financiers, had been identified.{{Cite web |title='Isso é terrorismo, é golpismo', diz Dino sobre atos terroristas contra sedes dos três poderes |url=https://g1.globo.com/politica/noticia/2023/01/08/dino-invasoes.ghtml |access-date=9 January 2023 |website=G1 |date=8 January 2023 |language=pt-br |archive-date=8 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230108235833/https://g1.globo.com/politica/noticia/2023/01/08/dino-invasoes.ghtml |url-status=live }} Federal District governor Ibaneis Rocha said in a publication on a social network that more than 400 people had been arrested.{{Cite tweet |user=IbaneisOficial|number=1612231280179183617 |title= Venho informar que mais de 400 pessoas já foram presas e pagarão pelos crimes cometidos. Continuamos trabalhando para identificar todas as outras que participaram desses atos terroristas na tarde de hoje no Distrito Federal. Seguimos trabalhando para que a ordem se restabeleça. |language=pt-br}} Some of those arrested before and during the attack were carrying knives, machetes, stilettos, scissors, pocket knives, small wooden stakes, slingshots with marbles and tin spheres, cloth soaked with vinegar (for use against tear gas and pepper spray), and even explosives such as grenades, materials for making Molotov cocktails, blowtorches and fireworks, among other weapons, with police reporting that some protestors could have been carrying firearms during the invasion; many also wore balaclavas, gas masks, gloves, ski masks, and protective equipment, possibly as an effort to hide their identities.{{Cite web |title=Rojões, granada, álcool e até maçarico: o que foi apreendido pela polícia {{!}} Maquiavel |url=https://veja.abril.com.br/coluna/maquiavel/rojoes-granada-alcool-e-ate-macarico-o-que-foi-apreendido-pela-policia/ |access-date=2023-01-31 |website=VEJA |language=pt-BR}}

After the federal buildings were retaken, Justice of the Supreme Court (STF) judge Alexandre de Moraes suspended governor of the Federal District Ibaneis Rocha for 90 days for the shortcomings in security preparedness. He also ordered camps set up by protesters outside military bases cleared out within 24 hours, as well as all roads and buildings occupied by them, and removal of all anti-democratic posts by Bolsonaro supporters from Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok.{{Cite news |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/brazils-top-court-removes-brasilia-governor-over-pro-bolsonaro-riots-2023-01-09/ |title=Brazil's top court removes Brasilia governor over pro-Bolsonaro riots |date=8 January 2023 |access-date=9 January 2023 |archive-date=9 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230109041811/https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/brazils-top-court-removes-brasilia-governor-over-pro-bolsonaro-riots-2023-01-09/ |url-status=live }}

The police started clearing the protest camps near army bases throughout the country on 9 January.{{Cite news |work=Financial Times |url=https://www.ft.com/content/c72e506b-70a2-44b0-b219-5b937da73ad4 |title=Brazilian police dismantle anti-government protest camps |date=9 January 2023 |access-date=9 January 2023 |archive-date=9 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230109155019/https://www.ft.com/content/c72e506b-70a2-44b0-b219-5b937da73ad4 |url-status=live }} Soldiers backed by the police dismantled a camp outside the army headquarters in Brasília, which had been used as a base by those who had attacked the Three Powers Plaza and detained at least between 1,150 and 1,200 people there.{{Cite web |title=Comboio com 1,2 mil bolsonaristas detidos segue para a sede da PF em Brasília |url=https://www.folhape.com.br/politica/comboio-de-onibus-com-12-mil-bolsonaristas-detidos-segue-para-a-sede/253340/ |access-date=2023-04-05 |website=www.folhape.com.br |language=pt-br}}{{Cite web |title=Moraes cita 'conduta gravíssima' e mantém 140 presos por ligação com atos de terror em Brasília |url=https://g1.globo.com/politica/noticia/2023/01/18/moraes-alega-conduta-gravissima-e-mantem-140-presos-por-atos-de-terror-em-brasilia.ghtml |access-date=2023-01-29 |website=G1 |date=18 January 2023 |language=pt-br}} An earlier attempt by federal government officials to arrest suspects involved in the attack at the camp on the night of 8 January was blocked by Brazilian Army commander Júlio Cesar de Arruda.

The total number of those detained by 9 January was at least 1,418, with ~222 detained in the Praça dos Três Poderes and around 1,196 in the camp in front of the Army Headquarters, according to the National Justice Council (CNJ); many of those arrested were taken to the Papuda Penitentiary Complex and the "Hive" women's penitentiary, of the total prisoners, 599 (mostly elderly, homeless people, people with physical or mental problems, and mothers accompanied by children) were later released on humanitarian grounds.{{Cite web |date=2023-01-12 |title=CNJ: 1,4 mil pessoas estão presas por ataques em Brasília |url=https://agenciabrasil.ebc.com.br/justica/noticia/2023-01/cnj-14-mil-pessoas-estao-presas-por-ataques-em-brasilia |access-date=2023-04-05 |website=Agência Brasil |language=pt-br}} Arrest warrants for around 50 people allegedly involved in the invasion were issued, according to Dino.{{cite web|url=https://www.rfi.fr/en/international-news/20230110-brazil-releases-hundreds-after-capital-riots|title=Brazil releases hundreds after capital riots|agency=Agence France-Presse|publisher=Radio France Internationale|date=10 January 2023|access-date=11 January 2023}} As of March 2023, 2,182 people had been arrested for participation or connection to the attack.{{Cite web |last=Mendes |first=Lucas |title=Moraes finaliza análise e mantém 294 presos por atos de 8 de janeiro |url=https://www.cnnbrasil.com.br/politica/moraes-finaliza-analise-e-mantem-294-presos-por-atos-de-8-de-janeiro/ |access-date=2023-04-05 |website=CNN Brasil |language=pt-BR}} The federal government estimated that around 5,000 people had taken part.

The Supreme Federal Court (STF) created a task force to hold hearings by federal judges and judges of the Federal District Court of Justice and sent to Minister Alexandre de Moraes, who will decide on maintaining the prisons. Earlier, the Federal Public Defender's Office (DPU) defended the release of "hyper-vulnerable" people and the replacement of prison with precautionary measures, such as a ban on leaving their states of origin, frequenting barracks and military units, using social media and maintaining contact with other demonstrators who are not related.

Depending on the evidence, those involved may be charged with one or more crimes, including, but not limited to prevarication (for authorities and public security officials), insubordination (for authorities and servants in charge of public safety), crimes against democracy (such as attempted overthrow of a legitimately constituted government, also commonly known as a coup d'etat, and attempted violent abolition of the rule of law), terrorism (including preparation for terrorisma), criminal association, public incitement to commit a crime, persecution, intimidation, damage to private property, qualified damage such as damage to public property, historical and artistic heritage and protected buildings, or offenses to the bodily integrity or health of others. People who were not present but participated in orchestrating, financing, instigating or collaborating in other ways would also be framed for the same crimes. If convicted of more than one crime, consecutive sentences could add reach 30 years in prison.{{Cite web |last=Frazão |first=Lucas Rocha, Felipe |title=Entenda a quais crimes poderão responder os presos pelo ataque aos Três Poderes |url=https://www.cnnbrasil.com.br/politica/entenda-a-quais-crimes-poderao-responder-os-presos-pelo-ataque-aos-tres-poderes/ |access-date=2023-04-05 |website=CNN Brasil |language=pt-BR}}{{Cite news |title=Invasores bolsonaristas podem pegar mais de 15 anos de prisão, dizem criminalistas |language=pt-BR |work=BBC News Brasil |url=https://www.bbc.com/portuguese/brasil-64206303 |access-date=2023-04-05}}{{Cite web |last=altoastral |title=Terrorismo e mais: crimes que bolsonaristas podem responder por invasão aos Três Poderes |url=https://www.terra.com.br/noticias/terrorismo-e-mais-crimes-que-bolsonaristas-podem-responder-por-invasao-aos-tres-poderes,537dc27b943422c304d1c361e608ddd0omluky3a.html |access-date=2023-04-05 |website=Terra |language=pt-BR}}

On 10 January, Moraes issued arrest warrants for the former public security secretary of Brasília Anderson Torres and the Federal District Military Police chief, Fabio Augusto Vieira.{{Cite web |date=11 January 2023 |title=Lula government braces for new protests in Brazil |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/lula-government-prepares-more-anti-democratic-protests-brazil-2023-01-11/ |access-date=11 January 2023 |work=Reuters |language=en}} The Justice Ministry stated that the police had found a draft presidential decree authorising Bolsonaro to overturn the elections by implementing a "state of defense" on the Superior Electoral Court while searching the home of Torres.{{Cite web |date=13 January 2023 |title=Brazil police find draft decree intended to overturn election result in former Bolsonaro minister's home |website=CNN |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/01/13/americas/brazil-federal-police-election-result-bolsonaro-intl-hnk/index.html |access-date=14 January 2023 |agency=CNN |language=en}} His lawyer claimed that the draft was a proposal by civilians and was never submitted to Bolsonaro, while Torres stated that it was taken out of context and was going to be eventually shredded.{{Cite web |date=12 January 2023 |title=Report: Bolsonaro's former minister found with draft of putschist decree|url=https://brazilian.report/liveblog/2023/01/12/jair-bolsonaro-draft-decree/ |author=Lucas Berti |access-date=20 January 2023 |website=The Brazilian Report |language=en}} The National Congress meanwhile authorised Lula's decree for federal intervention in Brasília and deputy justice minister Ricardo Cappelli's appointment to oversee it.{{Cite web |date=12 January 2023 |title=Brazilian President Lula criticizes police for protesters' breach of government buildings |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/01/10/americas/brazil-brasilia-police-congress-attack-intl-latam/index.html |access-date=12 January 2023 |website=CNN |language=en}}

President Lula announced a security review of officials posted at the presidential palace on 12 January. He said that he believed that doors had been deliberately left unlocked for the attack, and that no hardcore Bolsonaro supporter would be allowed to work in the building.{{Cite web |date=12 January 2023 |title=Lula suspects pro-Bolsonaro staff helped mob enter presidential palace |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jan/12/lula-bolsonaro-brazil-mob-presidential-palace |access-date=13 January 2023 |author=Tom Phillips |website=The Guardian |language=en}} Moraes on 13 January agreed to include Bolsonaro as part of the investigation into the riots because he had questioned the legitimacy of the elections on 10 January.{{Cite web |date=14 January 2023 |title=Brazil Supreme Court includes Jair Bolsonaro in riot probe |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-64271922 |access-date=14 January 2023 |website=BBC |language=en}} Torres was arrested the following day after returning to Brasília.{{Cite web |date=14 January 2023 |title=Brazil riots: Brasília's ex-security chief arrested on return to city |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-64275368 |author=Malu Cursino |access-date=14 January 2023 |website=BBC |language=en}}

The Prosecutor General of Brazil presented charges against the accused for the first time on 17 January, charging 39 people with armed criminal association, violent attempt to subvert the democratic state of law, staging a coup and damage to public property.{{Cite web |date=17 January 2023 |title=Brazilian rioters charged over storming of congress as new president sacks 'complicit' military troops |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-01-18/brazilian-rioters-charged-over-storming-of-congress/101866202 |access-date=18 January 2023 |website=ABC News |language=en}} In an interview on 18 January, Lula blamed the intelligence services of the armed forces and the Brazilian Intelligence Agency for failing to alert him to the possibility of an attack.{{Cite web |title=Lula demite comandante do Exército |url=https://g1.globo.com/politica/noticia/2023/01/21/governo-exonera-comandante-do-exercito.ghtml |access-date=2023-01-21 |website=G1 |date=21 January 2023 |language=pt-br}} He dismissed Arruda from his post as commander of the army on 21 January, replacing him with Tomás Miguel Ribeiro Paiva. Lula also changed some Federal and Federal Highway police regional commands following the invasion after allegations of omission by these agencies.

On 19 April, Institutional Security Bureau commander Gonçalves Dias, as well as other members of the agency, resigned following the release of images showing alleged leniency by the members during the invasion of the Planalto Palace. He was replaced by Ricardo Cappelli, who became interim commander. Cappelli dismissed several members of the Bureau who were accused of leniency with the attackers. Marcos Antonio Amaro dos Santos was later appointed by Lula on 3 May as the commander of the GSI.

As of October 2023, Brazil's Public Prosecutor's Office had charged roughly 1,400 people with crimes such as vandalism against public property, participation in a criminal armed organization, or insurrection.{{Cite web |date=2023-10-18 |trans-title=STF sentences first defendant of 8 January to 17 years in prison: A majority of judges convicted the accused of five crimes |title=Supremo chega a 12 condenados por atos golpistas de 8 de janeiro |url=https://agenciabrasil.ebc.com.br/geral/noticia/2023-10/supremo-chega-12-condenados-por-atos-golpistas-de-8-de-janeiro |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=Agência Brasil |language=pt-br}} And by 8 January 2024, the "anniversary" of the attack, over 2,000 people had been detained (~243 on the Three Powers Plaza on 8 January, 1,152+ on the morning of 9 January and hundreds more over the next months, totalling over 1,927 people detained on 2023 alone), of those, 1,430 had been sent to the "Papuda" and "Hive" penitential complexes, though only 73 of those remained in the penitentiaries, most having either been released or given other preventive measures. Only 8 of the arrested were charged, with most (~58) having only been accused (33 of those of participating in the acts and 25 for inciting, planning or financing it), 7 police officers were also accused of negligence, thus being added to the total of 65 awaiting judgement. In addition, 2 of the arrested were sent to mental hospitals following their sentencing.

As of November 2024, 265 people had already been convicted and sentenced to jail terms ranging from 15 to 17 years by the Supreme Court of Brazil, therefore without any possibility of further appeal.{{Cite web |date=2024-11-08 |title=Supremo já condenou 265 investigados pelo 8 de janeiro |url=https://agenciabrasil.ebc.com.br/justica/noticia/2024-11/supremo-ja-condenou-265-investigados-pelo-8-de-janeiro |access-date=2024-11-09 |website=Agência Brasil |language=pt-br}}{{Cite web |date=2023-09-14 |title=STF condena primeiro réu do 8 de janeiro a 17 anos de prisão |url=https://agenciabrasil.ebc.com.br/justica/noticia/2023-09/stf-condena-primeiro-reu-do-8-de-janeiro-17-anos-de-prisao |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=Agência Brasil |language=pt-br}}

On 8 February 2024, the Brazilian Federal Police confiscated Bolsonaro's passport during a raid that also targeted numerous former and active officials, including former ministers and high-ranking Brazilian military officials.{{Cite news |date=2024-02-09 |title=Net tightens on Bolsonaro as police seize passport in coup probe |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/rest-of-world/net-tightens-on-bolsonaro-as-police-seize-passport-in-coup-probe/articleshow/107538698.cms |access-date=2024-02-25 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}} On February 25 Bolsonaro, himself investigated for his role in the 2023 attack, called for an amnesty for the convicts of the 8 January coup attempt during a rally in São Paulo.{{Cite web |date=2024-02-26 |title=Brazil's Bolsonaro gathers supporters amid coup investigation |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/world/americas/article/3253167/brazils-bolsonaro-gathers-supporters-show-strength-amid-coup-investigation |access-date=2024-02-25 |website=South China Morning Post |language=en}}

Since 9 January 2023, several lawsuits have been filed aiming to compensate and/or impose fines over the property damage caused by the attackers, and their financers. Over $14 million BRL (nearly $2 million USD) in public property were lost during the attacks according to the Attorney General of Brazil who has successfully asked to freeze 18.5 million BRL (approximately US$3.5 million) from persons and companies who financed the perpetrators.{{Cite web |date=2023-01-21 |title=Valor bloqueado de financiadores golpistas sobe para R$ 18,5 milhões |url=https://agenciabrasil.ebc.com.br/justica/noticia/2023-01/valor-bloqueado-de-financiadores-golpistas-sobe-para-r-185-milhoes |access-date=2023-01-22 |website=Agência Brasil |trans-title=Sums frozen from coup financiers rises to R$18.5 million |language=pt-br}}

• {{Cite web |last=Brasil |first=Agência |date=2023-01-18 |title=AGUAGU entrará com novas ações de ressarcimento por atos de 8 de janeiro |trans-title=Sums frozen in accounts of coup financiers rises to R$18.5 million: The value was previously R$6.5 million: AGU will file new claims for compensation for acts of 8 January: Vandalism caused losses of more than R$10 million, says minister |url=https://www.infomoney.com.br/politica/agu-entrara-com-novas-acoes-de-ressarcimento-por-atos-de-8-de-janeiro/ |access-date=2023-01-22 |website=InfoMoney}}

The attack was widely reported by both the media and the rioters themselves in real time, with many people present (Journalists and rioters alike) posting livestreams, photos, selfies, videos, messages and/or audio from the attack online, including on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, Kwai, YouTube and Telegram. Some of the rioters were shown in videos (sometimes recorded by themselves) praying, screaming and/or crying during the attack, while some were gathering rocks (sometimes with the use of tools, such as pickaxes and hammers) to throw at police.{{Cite web |date=8 January 2023 |title="Destruição, orações e choros: jornalista faz imagens exclusivas de invasão do Congresso" |url=https://sul21.com.br/noticias/politica/2023/01/destruicao-oracoes-e-choros-jornalista-faz-imagens-exclusivas-de-invasao-do-congresso/ |access-date=30 January 2023 |website=Sul21}}

Several cases of violence against police, as well as vandalism, looting and attempted arson were caught on both the buildings' security cameras and police body cameras. However, in some cases, rioters recorded themselves (or others) committing or admitting to these acts of violence. These images, audios and videos were later used by the authorities as proof for investigating, identifying and prosecuting people involved, with some recordings later being released to the media by the government; Several people who were shown in the videos were later either detained, prosecuted, jailed, or put on the federal police's wanted list, including famous people and politicians such as Léo Indio, nephew of previous president Jair Bolsonaro, who was arrested and later put on trial for participating in the riot.{{cite web | url=https://noticias.r7.com/jr-na-tv/video/moraes-vota-para-tornar-leo-indio-reu-por-envolvimento-nos-atos-de-8-de-janeiro-21022025/ | title=Moraes vota para tornar Léo Índio réu por envolvimento nos atos de 8 de janeiro | date=21 February 2025 }}

Some flags present during the riot included those of Israel, the United States and the Empire of Brazil.{{cite news |last1=Spigariol |first1=André |title=Protesters fly the flag of the Empire of Brazil above Congress. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2023/01/08/world/brazil-congress-protests-bolsonaro/309b8594-a2ff-5979-9d52-03f0dfa72734 |access-date=8 January 2023 |work=The New York Times |date=8 January 2023 |archive-date=8 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230108211658/https://www.nytimes.com/live/2023/01/08/world/brazil-congress-protests-bolsonaro/309b8594-a2ff-5979-9d52-03f0dfa72734 |url-status=live }} Most rioters in general appeared to have no clear connection to any known or organized extremist group. Leadership was mostly decentralized and focused on the owners/leaders of the caravans which arrived earlier in Brasília; although some politicians, businessmen and famous people were involved, none appeared to have any clear sign of being actual "organizers" of the protest, leading police to believe that the mob was mostly disorganized, and united only through messages on Telegram, Facebook and WhatsApp groups. Several organizers and financers were, however, later identified, with many having been arrested or put on trial for financing, organizing and/or inciting the riot, while others remained wanted by the police.{{cite web | url=https://www.estadao.com.br/politica/saiba-quem-ja-foi-identificado-como-organizador-financiador-8-de-janeiro-nprp/ | title=Saiba quem já foi identificado como organizador e financiador dos atos de 8 de Janeiro }}{{cite web | url=https://www.poder360.com.br/justica/leia-os-nomes-dos-financiadores-de-onibus-para-o-8-de-janeiro/ | title=Leia os nomes dos financiadores de ônibus para o 8 de Janeiro | date=12 January 2023 }}

{{Excerpt|Reactions to the 8 January Brasília attacks}}

{{Portal|Brazil|Crime|Politics}}

• Right-wing terrorism
• Canada convoy protests
• EDSA III
• 2017 Venezuelan National Assembly attack
• 2017 storming of the Macedonian Parliament
• 2019 Indonesian election protests
• 2019 South Korean National Assembly attack

• 2022 Iraq parliament attack
• 2022 German coup d'état plot
• 2024 South Korean martial law
• List of attacks on legislatures
• List of coups and coup attempts in Brazil
• Proclamation of the Brazilian Republic
• Brazilian Revolution of 1930
• 1937 Brazilian coup d'état
• 1945 Brazilian coup d'état
• 1964 Brazilian coup d'état
• Planning for a coup d'état after the 2022 Brazilian presidential elections
• 2024 Brasília attack

{{Reflist}}

• {{Cite report |url=https://noticias-stf-wp-prd.s3.sa-east-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/wpallimport/uploads/2024/11/26160436/Relatorio-Final-PF-Site-2024-1.pdf |title=Federal Police Investigation Report No 4546344/2024 - 2023.0050897-CGCINT/DIP/PF |author=Brazilian Federal Police |date=2024-11-21 |language=pt-BR |access-date=2025-02-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250219084511/https://noticias-stf-wp-prd.s3.sa-east-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/wpallimport/uploads/2024/11/26160436/Relatorio-Final-PF-Site-2024-1.pdf |archive-date=2025-02-19 |url-status=live}}
• {{Cite report |url=https://agenciabrasil.ebc.com.br/sites/default/files/atoms/files/finalpet12100-denancia-versaofinal_nucleo11.pdf |title=Criminal complaint - ASSCRIM/PGR N. 212310/2024 |author=Brazilian Attorney General's Office (Procuradoria Geral da República) |date=2025-02-18 |language=pt-BR |access-date=2025-02-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250219025422/https://agenciabrasil.ebc.com.br/sites/default/files/atoms/files/finalpet12100-denancia-versaofinal_nucleo11.pdf |archive-date=2025-02-19 |url-status=live}}
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